I’ll admit it, I haven’t paid much attention to Chevies manufactured before 1955. I suppose the reason is that the Tri-Fives with their modern redesign, coupled with the newly introduced small block V8 engine, consigned prior models to the dustbin of old, innocuous cars. But, let’s not be too dismissive as Chevrolet did occupy the number one production slot between 1950 and 1953, producing more than one million copies in each of those four years. This 1949 Fleetline DeLuxe is pretty representative of what the Bowtie was offering during the pre-’55 era so let’s see what it had to offer the American driver. Located in Clancy, Montana, this sloped-back sedan is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,400 with fifteen bids offered as of this writing.
Chevrolet did miss the number-one production slot in ’49 by 108K units, conceding that honor to Ford. No surprise really as Ford’s completely new for ’49 models sucked all of the air out of the new car arena. Regardless, Chevy did come within 90% of Ford’s solid performance. They made their way by providing two different distinct models, the Styleline, which possessed a typical sedan greenhouse and C-pillar, and the Fleetline which was a fastback arrangement. Body styles encompassed two and four-door sedans, along with a convertible and station wagons while the trim levels included the standard Special and a more upscale DeLuxe, such as our subject car.
The seller describes this Chevy as “a true Montana, high country desert, survivor“. The sheet metal is considered to be “fantastic” but there is some noted rust present and a dent in the rear right pontoon fender. All of the DeLuxe stainless trim is still in place and the finish is blemished by typical horizontal surface fade and some surface rust bleed-through. The seller adds, “The trunk lid is not completely closed in the pictures as I do not have the key, and I am afraid if I close it, it will lock and at my age I cannot crawl through the back seat opening into trunk to unlock it as we did back in the day“.
Powering (when capable of running) this swoopy fastback is a 90 HP, 216 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine which, in turn, engages a three-speed manual transmission – the only gearbox available. The engine is not seized and turns over by hand and the seller admits, “I don’t know much more as I have never driven the car“. Yes, it’s a flip.
As for the interior, the seller states, “A virtual time capsule, (see pictures). The dash is awesome, all gages chrome, and knobs except two are still there. Those two radio knobs I have on order. The seats, door panels, and headliner need to be replaced“. I don’t think I would refer to the innards as a time capsule, it seems more like a three-quarters of a century-old interior. I’m not being critical mind you, yes, the dash and instrument panel do project that fabulous early fifties vibe, the interior is just typically worn and will need attention.
One curious statement that I noted the second time that I read the listing is, “This is an excellent candidate for restoration or hotrod/lowrider. However, if the latter is your intention, I do not want to hear about it“. That’s an interesting position to take, it’s one of, “Yeah, I don’t want to see this sort of thing happen to this car, but if it will help sell it, I’ll suggest it anyway”. My understanding is that these Fleetline models are the preferred early Chevy body style for just such an undertaking. Then again, we have that two vs. four-door body style matter to consider. So, I’m taking a poll, if you were interested in this old sedan, what would you do with it?
The seller seems to have an emotional attachment to this car, even if it is a flip. Who orders new, replacement radio knobs on a car they don’t intend to keep?
I understand Ford had an all new “shoebox” design, but Chevrolet had more body options. You could get a 2 or 4 door sedan. or a 2 or 4 door fastback. For never offered a fastback. Seems odd to me that Ford beat Chevy, but who knows what people were thinking in 1948/49, I wasn’t even born yet.
I know 2 people that might have been thinking about you then,, :0,,just kidding, even though my posts will be numbered, always like hearing from you.
Awwww, thank you, HoA, I am quite opinionated, LOL. 😆
I know you were joking, but, just for reference, they were NOT thinking about me. My brother was born in September 1949 and I didn’t come along until 1953.
I asked my father one time if I was a mistake….. he replied “you were ALL
mistakes ” There were 5 of us.
Gotta love’em
I like the 49-51 Chevy better than the Ford. I know it is a personal thing. It is too bad Chevy waited so long for a V8.
I’d definitely want to get it running decently enough to drive it locally while going through it. This appears to be a basic ‘get er goin’ and enjoy it as is. There’s even not two, but four wing windows! And a tow hitch, too.
Had the sedan body style of this car in the mid ’70s and I can tell you that
the car I bought for $300 back then was not as nice as this one. But at least it ran and drove and my then GF
and I got to enjoy it when I wasn’t
playing package shows around the
Midwest at that time. It goes without
saying that if this car were mine, I
would upgrade the brakes, steering,
and electrical systems, swap in a
later 235 and call it a day. Oops!
Almost forgot the radio and sound
system. Gotta have great tunes while
you enjoy such a car.
Agree. The only thing I’d add is paint. These cars with shiny exteriors are easy to look at.
The fastback invites speculation. In my fantasies where I had infinite cash and interest, I’d consider hotrodding a ‘Jimmy 6’ and upgrade brakes and suspension and the rest of the driveline. Back in the day, the GMC truck 6, full pressure oiler, could be persuaded to be right sporting. And inline sixes can make a joyous noise (Think Jaguar and Austin-Healey).
I’m not a big advocate for the patina look, but on this car , to me it tells a story. I would tidy up the rust areas, make it mechanically sound , redo the interior and drive it until I was ready for a full restoration, if ever .
Wow what memories this brings back. My Dad had one a styleline 2 door. I was 8ys old, it was 1959 I remember sitting in my dad’s lap holding the steering wheel pretending to drive. You can’t buy that memory, love and miss you pop !
Here comes another “Geezer Story”. After WW2 my dad bought a 48 Jeep Station wagon, only thing he could find. In 52 he traded it for a 49 Chevy just like this one. I was 6-7 years old and wanted some money for something. Asked my dad if it could wash the car to earn the money. Climbed on top of the car with the hose and walked a bunch of dents in the top, then filled the gas tank with water. I remember the whipping 70+ years later…don’t remember if I got paid or not!
Henry, I can relate to your comments. My dad did pretty much the same thing with his cars. He also sold cars in the Rochester, NY area. Didn’t sell Jeeps but did sell Chevy’s. I’m curious as to where you are from as my grandfather was Henry Davis and I was born in 45′. Just wondering if you are from up state NY.
No relation I think. My family was from Pittsboro MS. Dad came back from the Navy on leave after the war, wanted a new car but nobody had any in stock. Put his name on everybody’s waiting list, and Willys called first. I was born in China in ’46, grandfather was named Emmitt. I lived in Memphis back when they still had phone books…there were 3 pages of Davises, and 4 Henrys!
There was another option than just the 3 on the tree. A two-speed Powerglide automatic trans was available in ’49 as my Fleetline Deluxe 2-door sedan came with the 216 / 2-speed. It’s now running a 194 with a newer aluminum case 2-speed glide from a ’65 Malibu.
I don’t know how, the Powerglide wasn’t introduced until January 1950. The ’49 Chevy spec sheet is attached and the Powerglide isn’t listed.
JO
I’d love something like this just as an affordable old driver with unusual character. Surely something livable if not original looking could be done for the interior in the hundreds, not thousands. His finding the radio knobs is a selling point I think. My problem, as always, is I have to be able to trust the brakes and steering, and I fear that would get into untold thousands… or unfindable parts… same worry for drivetrain parts.
Please don’t lay a coat of plastic on this awesome PATINA! Sacrilegious!
What a fun toy again makes me wish my pole barn was built already this would be fun to get back on the road and just cruise, ok yes it’s a four door but still a fun ride
I would get this car running again. My Dad owned a 1950 Styleline model and also had a 1950 station wagon that he bought upside down. Flipped it over and repaired the roof. We drove it until Dad sold it to a friend. I wouldn’t do anything to the paint as I am a fan of ‘patina’.
Uncle had this model, this color. Bought new, traded it in on a ’55 with V8. The 2 door version is one of GM’s best bodies of the late 40’s, the big car’s, Caddy, big Buicks, and Olds 98 versions were even better, to my eye, but the Chevy/Pontiac version can hold its own. Update the mechanicals, paint it, drive it. Should sell to the low-rider HIspanic community in CA.
The hot set up on these cars is swapping in a second generation Camaro front subframe. This will give you power steering, power front disc brakes and untold number of powertrain and transmission choices.
Seeing this old girl sure brings back the memories. When I was a young boy the neighbor ladies would organize a car pool and take turns picking us kids up from school. One lady had a ’49 chevy woody Wagen she’d pick us up in. The front end was so shot if she got past 35, it would shimmy from side to side. As we rolled and shimmied along, she would sing the old Little Anthony and the Imperials tune ” shimmy shimmy ko ko bop” much to our squealing delight. Ah, the good old days!